Dems Sweep South Brunswick Council Election; BOE Race Down to Wire

The results are in on Election Day and South Brunswick is returning to an all Democratic Township Council.

Incumbent Democratic Councilmen Joseph Camarota and Charles Carley, along with running mate Josephine "Jo" Hochman were elected to three open seats on the Township Council. They defeated incumbent Republican Councilman John O'Sullivan, along with challengers Michael Kushwara and Paul Saltin.

The South Brunswick Board of Education race was a tight one, as incumbent Board President Stephen Parker and Peter St. Vincent jumped ahead for two of three open seats, while incumbent Barry Nathanson and challenger Azra Baig went down to the wire for the third open seat. Early unofficial results had Baig beating Nathanson, but after absentee votes were tallied, Nathanson scored a tight victory for the final seat.

These results are not final as this race may not be settled for several days until provisional ballots are sorted out, according to the township clerk.

The final district in South Brunswick didn't report results until after 10 p.m. on a busy election day.

Despte the damage of Hurricane Sandy, there was only one change in polling locations for Election Day. Residents who usually voted at Brunswick Acres Elementary School had to cast their ballots at Greenbrook Elementary School.

Township officials reported strong turnout at the polls, as police said there was a significant crowd waiting to vote at South Brunswick High School around 11 a.m. 

As polls closed at 8 p.m., the township clerk's office reported over 100 people still waiting on line to vote at Crossroads South Middle School, marking a busy day at the polls in South Brunswick.

This article was updated at 12 a.m. to reflect absentee ballots for Council and Board of Education elections.

Here's how South Brunswick voted in the major elections (results are unofficial until certified by the county clerk and final numbers may vary based on provisional ballots):

President 

Township Council

Incumbent Democratic councilmen Joseph Camarota and Charles Carley, along with running mate Josephine "Jo" Hochman faced incumbent Republican Councilman John O'Sullivan, along with running mates Michael Kushwara and Paul Saltin for three open seats.

Board of Education

Voters decided between five candidates for three open seats on the South Brunswick Board of Education. The seats of current Board President Stephen Parker and Barry Nathanson were up for grabs, along with a seat vacated when Elizabeth Chang resigned from the board. Nathanson and Parker were challenged by Azra Baig, Raymond Kuehner and Peter St. Vincent.

16th District Assembly

Special election pit current Assemblywoman Donna Simon (R) against challenger Marie Corfield (D) to finish the unexpired term of the late Pete Biondi.

Board of Chosen Freeholders

Voters chose two candidates for two three-year terms, with incumbent Democratic Freeholders H. James Polos and Ronald Rios facing Republican challengers Abrar "Sam" Khan and Roger W. Daley.

12th Congressional District

Incumbent Rush Holt (D) faced off with Republican challenger and South Brunswick resident Eric Beck.

U.S. Senate 

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D), the junior United States Senator who was first appointed in 2006 to fill Jon Corzine's seat, was challenged by Republican Joe Kyrillos, who easily defeated three opponents in the primary.

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